Teach Soap

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JKM Creative Enterprises

Thanks! I'll look into those in case I need them.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Boy oh boy! I don't think all the c/s reps are on the same page! I've been going back/forth with one this past week. I contacted them via email (calling is hard for me/time constraints) because I want to place an order, but I do not/will not have it shipped via FEDEX. For 2 reasons. 1 - it's way too expensive from WA to NJ. 2 - it takes waaay too long to get here. (Over priced for the slow boat to china as they say). Anywho.. I am being told that they ONLY use the Flat Rate Boxes to "pour" (yes, I did say pour) bulk soap base. Now mind you... I am NOT purchasing anything that has a flash point. I am just buying butters/waxes/emulsifyers, that kind of thing.

So, I contacted them, because, being in the shipping industry for 11+ years, and having one client that likes to ship all of his retail orders via USPS, I am VERY familiar (since I am the one that has to do all the processing of these packages) with and how USPS ships. I am VERY familiar with the kind of free boxes that are offered. As a matter of fact, I have posted in this exact thread telling about the different boxes... Well back to my "situation".. I am pretty sure, what I want to order will fit into a USPS Regional A box... packing material is not really needed, but if they do think they need it, paper packing or peanuts, even recycled plastic store tote bags will do. I prefer this, as the MAXIMUM shipping cost on this box (as long as it does not exceed 15 lbs and mine won't) is only $9.37. Yes.. only $9.37.. If it MUST MUST be upgraded to the Medium flat rate, the cost for this would only be $10.50. This is the DISCOUNTED price if you process packages through the USPS Click/Ship site. They give you a 5% discount if you do this. You don't need special labels. You can print the postage label on plain paper and use wide clear tape to adhear it to the box. All good..

But trying to understand why I am being told that they only use the flat rate boxes for "poured" bulk bases is beyond my comprehension... In this economy, and how peeps are loosing their jobs every day, left and right ( and I am a recent member of this catagory), everyone is looking for ways to make money, but not spend more then they have to, especially on shipping costs. A growing company like Brambleberry should have at the very least, a supply of FREE priority mail boxes. The sizes that they should have to fit most needs are:
SMALL FLAT RATE
LARGE DVD
REGIONAL A
REGIONAL B
MEDIUM FLAT RATE
LARGE FLAT RATE

These are the most commonly used sizes, and its so easy to go online and order anywhere from 1 to 100 of each. So...

This is the response I got today:

I am so sorry that the only thing we stock available for flat rate boxes is the 25 pound bulk melt and pour soaps. We pour those directly into the box. Otherwise, the packaging we use and the height of the box prohibits most things from fitting in those boxes. Sorry about that.

For all other items we currently have FedEx, USPS Priority or I can find the USPS parcel post rate for you

I responded to her that I was confused, that Flat Rate boxes ARE USPS! And suggesting to ship PARCEL POST?? Like WT... parcel post costs almost (and sometimes more) the priority mail, but would take even longer the fedex! I suggested that she speak with someone that is a little more familiar with USPS and get some clarification. I sit here just shaking my head in dismay. So, now I need to find my supplies as locally as possible... that or rethink making what I want to make.

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JKM Creative Enterprises

Wow - that is awful! My husband works for USPS and I use the free flat rate boxes all the time. I order them online and have them delivered to my house. Easy-peasy! I agree with you on Parcel Post - it can be costly and it is very slow. I've never used Regional A & B, but will check into it as I'm always sending things to my family in FL. Hope you get things straightened out.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

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JKM Creative Enterprises

Hi again,

I am so sorry that Elizabeth misunderstood that this wasn’t a pricing issue and was instead a service issue. I can understand your preference for USPS over Fed Ex given the situation of you driving all over the place to get your box. That wouldn’t make anyone happy.

Speaking in generalities, we do not use Flat Rate Regional Post because it is too restrictive for our customers. This is for a few reasons: (1) The postage is based by zone, so the cost varies, even though it is called ‘Flat Rate.’ (2) The box is a Medium Flat Rate Box, about the size of a shoe box. It is difficult to get most of our products into the box safely and to our customers. Even in your current order, we are concerned about the lack of packaging material in the box. (3) There is a max weight on the box of 15 pounds, making the amount that can go into the box even more limited. (4) The typical restrictions USPS has on products above and beyond that of the DOT.

Our purpose is to get you quality products, at a fair price, through a simple and friendly shopping experience, to your house safely and securely. When we can, we happily customize. We have found that the foam dramatically cuts down on breakage over peanuts and other materials. And, since the dimensional weight is not used on ground packages under 5,184 cubic inches, the vast majority of our boxes never have the weight adjusted due to size.

I’m sorry that you were not happy in this instance. I spoke with Elizabeth this morning and she assured me that when you place your order, you and she have worked out a solution that she believes is amenable to you. If it is not, you have her email address and she will continue working with you on this situation.

Have a lovely weekend.

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Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

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JKM Creative Enterprises

Good Afternoon, All -

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, here. For those of us on the East Coast who have moved beyond being hobbyists and are selling our wares, the cost of shipping our supplies from the West Cost makes our raw materials costs not comparable with our soaping colleagues who have better/cheaper choices on shipping. So, essentially we have two choices -- charge the same as other soapers and take a "hit" to our bottom line, or charge more and lose the war on price point to consumers who couldn't care less (nor should they) on what their soap costs to make.

My three largest suppliers are on/near the West Coast. Every time I place an order I grimace and bite the bullet.

I've kept my prices in line with my competition for the most part. And, my bottom line suffers by between 15 and 20% for most products as a result.

I go out of my way to ship to customers using the cheapest possible method, even if that means adding the research time to my day. I give my customers a choice in shipping, quoting them prices for all available options. For International Orders, I've lost more than one sale because of the shipping costs, knowing, of course, that I don't set the shipping rates.

I think it's just good business.

Connie
http://www.soaprhapsody.com

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JKM Creative Enterprises

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JKM Creative Enterprises

BrambleBerry is not even close to the highly rate shipping charge they have at some other places. They have listened to what the customers are complaining about and have made a change. Thumbs up for BrambleBerry. That's good customer service. BUT what about the other ones?!!! Like THE CHEMISTRY STORE and NEW DIRECTIONS which are RIDICULOUS on their shipping. It's sad to see that they have such high shipping charges and they have a VERY GOOD QUALITY SOAP (STEPHENSON'S) . The price they sell the soap is resonable, but when the shipping comes along,it gets RIDICULOUSLY VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE!!! Which makes me go elsewhere for the reason of "HIGH SHIPPING RATES".

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JKM Creative Enterprises

Thanks for the question, Robert. I pay $36.28 to ship 72 pounds of melt and pour base from Soap Goods. They ship Fedex ground to me since they are in Georgia and I'm in NYC. I generally have my soap in two or three days, which I consider great customer service. If they are short on stock, they ship what they have, and then ship the rest later (at no additional cost to me).

There are NO stores in NYC that sell SFIC base. Actually, all the crafts stores are gone except for a poorly stocked Michael's. Or, if there are any, I've not found them.

Connie

http://www.soaprhapsody.com